Companies in the United States added more workers in April than at any time in the previous five months, signaling further progress in the labour market, a private payrolls report showed.
The 220,000 increase in employment followed a revised 209,000 gain the prior month that was stronger than initially estimated, according to figures today from the Roseland, New Jersey-based ADP Research Institute. The median forecast of economists called for an advance of 210,000 in April.
The additions to headcounts indicate companies are upbeat about the outlook for demand after harsh weather took a toll on spending at the start of the year. Employment growth that boosts paycheques would help drive bigger gains in the consumer purchases that account for almost 70% of the economy.
Estimates of 45 economists in the survey ranged from gains of 165,000 to 250,000 after a previously reported increase of 191,000. A U.S. Labor Department report on May 2 is projected to show private payrolls rose by 215,000 last month, according to the survey median.
